April 14-20: Historically, America's most tragedy-filled week

Updated 12:21 pm, Friday, April 17, 2015

Photo: AP Composite Photo

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A week filled with American tragedies

A week filled with American tragedies

Americans this week are remembering the anniversaries of the plant explosion in West, Texas (top left), and the bombing of the Boston Marathon (bottom right). However, the span of April 14-20 is one that has been filled with tragedies for Americans throughout history. See these other horrific events that happened during this infamous seven-day span in America. less

A week filled with American tragedies

Americans this week are remembering the anniversaries of the plant explosion in West, Texas (top left), and the bombing of the Boston Marathon (bottom right). However, the ... more

Photo: AP Composite Photo

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The Donner Party Begins Its Trek

April 14, 1846 – The Reed and Donner families leave Missouri headed to California for a new life. Along the way, they get lost in present-day Utah and Nevada. Winter storms beset them, supplies run low and the trip intended to be over by the fall stretches into the winter in the high western mountains. Out of food, some members of the party resort to cannibalism of the already dead to stay alive. Only 48 members of the 87-person party make it to California. less

The Donner Party Begins Its Trek

April 14, 1846 – The Reed and Donner families leave Missouri headed to California for a new life. Along the way, they get lost in present-day Utah and Nevada. Winter storms ... more

Photo: Fotosearch, Getty Images

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Lincoln Assassinated

April 14, 1865 – President Abraham Lincoln is fatally shot while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.. He dies one day later.

Lincoln Assassinated

April 14, 1865 – President Abraham Lincoln is fatally shot while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.. He dies one day later.

Photo: MATHEW BRADY

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Black Sunday

April 14, 1935 – The infamous Black Sunday storm rolls through Texas and Oklahoma, causing untold damage and leading hundreds of thousands of Dust Bowl residents to relocate.

Black Sunday

April 14, 1935 – The infamous Black Sunday storm rolls through Texas and Oklahoma, causing untold damage and leading hundreds of thousands of Dust Bowl residents to relocate.

Photo: Historic Adobe Museum

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The Black Hawk Incident

April 14, 1994 – Two military Black Hawk helicopters (not pictured) are shot down over the streets of Ebil, Iraq. Twenty-six people on board are killed, including military and civilians. less

The Black Hawk Incident

April 14, 1994 – Two military Black Hawk helicopters (not pictured) are shot down over the streets of Ebil, Iraq. Twenty-six people on board are killed, including military and ... more

Photo: MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC

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Titanic Sinks

April 15, 1912 – The RMS Titanic finally sinks after hitting an iceberg the night before. As many as 1,635 passengers and crew members are killed.

Titanic Sinks

April 15, 1912 – The RMS Titanic finally sinks after hitting an iceberg the night before. As many as 1,635 passengers and crew members are killed.

Photo: Wire Photos

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The Great Mississippi Flood

April 15, 1927 – Fifteen inches of rain falls in New Orleans, bringing a Mississippi River already swollen from heavy rains upstream beyond its capacity. River levee systems pop in more than 140 places causing flooding in 10 states and killing 246 people. less

The Great Mississippi Flood

April 15, 1927 – Fifteen inches of rain falls in New Orleans, bringing a Mississippi River already swollen from heavy rains upstream beyond its capacity. River levee systems pop in ... more

Photo: General Photographic Agency, Getty Images

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Boston Marathon Bombing

April 15, 2013 – Three people are killed when two pressure cooker bombs go off in a terrorist attack during the Boston Marathon.

Boston Marathon Bombing

April 15, 2013 – Three people are killed when two pressure cooker bombs go off in a terrorist attack during the Boston Marathon.

Photo: DON EMMERT, Getty Images

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Texas City Explosion

April 16, 1947 – The SS Grandcamp explodes at 9:12 a.m. in Texas City, Texas, killing more than 575 people.

Texas City Explosion

April 16, 1947 – The SS Grandcamp explodes at 9:12 a.m. in Texas City, Texas, killing more than 575 people.

Photo: Story Sloane Jr. / For The Chronicle

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Virginia Tech Shooting

April 16, 2007 – A gunman kills 32 people then himself on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. Another 23 are injured.

Virginia Tech Shooting

April 16, 2007 – A gunman kills 32 people then himself on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. Another 23 are injured.

Photo: Steve Helber

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Bay of Pigs Invasion

April 17, 1961 – The Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba by a CIA-sponsored military group is launched. Three days later, the invaders are defeated. Casualties include 118 deaths, 360 wounded and 1,202 captured. less

Bay of Pigs Invasion

April 17, 1961 – The Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba by a CIA-sponsored military group is launched. Three days later, the invaders are defeated. Casualties include 118 deaths, 360 wounded and ... more

Photo: RAUL CORRALES, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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West Plant Explosion

April 17, 2013 – Fifteen people are killed and more than 160 are injured following an ammonium nitrate explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas.

April 18, 1775 – British troops arrive in Massachusetts to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Paul Revere embarks on his famous ride to warn them, 'The British are coming!"

The British Invade

April 18, 1775 – British troops arrive in Massachusetts to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Paul Revere embarks on his famous ride to warn them, 'The British are coming!"

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San Francisco Earthquake

April 18, 1906 – More than 3,000 people are killed by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and resulting fires in San Francisco.

San Francisco Earthquake

April 18, 1906 – More than 3,000 people are killed by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and resulting fires in San Francisco.

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U.S. Embassy Bombing in Beirut

April 18, 1983 – Sixty-three people are killed, including 17 Americans, when a suicide bomber in Lebanon drives a van filled with explosives into the American embassy.

U.S. Embassy Bombing in Beirut

April 18, 1983 – Sixty-three people are killed, including 17 Americans, when a suicide bomber in Lebanon drives a van filled with explosives into the American embassy.

Photo: -, AFP/Getty Images

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USS Iowa Explosion

April 19, 1989 – A 16-inch turret on a Navy battleship stationed off Puerto Rico unexpectedly explodes, killing 47 seamen in the ship's gun room and wounding the ship.

USS Iowa Explosion

April 19, 1989 – A 16-inch turret on a Navy battleship stationed off Puerto Rico unexpectedly explodes, killing 47 seamen in the ship's gun room and wounding the ship.

Photo: William F. Campbell, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

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The Waco Seige

April 19, 1993 – Four federal agents and six members of the Branch Davidian religious group were killed Feb. 28, 1993 when the ATF attempted to raid a sect compound outside of Waco, Texas. After a 51-day standoff, the government led a final assault on the compound resulting in 76 deaths. less

The Waco Seige

April 19, 1993 – Four federal agents and six members of the Branch Davidian religious group were killed Feb. 28, 1993 when the ATF attempted to raid a sect compound outside of Waco, Texas. After ... more

Photo: BOB STRONG, AFP/Getty Images

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The Oklahoma City Bombing

April 19, 1995 – More than 160 people were killed and almost 700 more injured when domestic terrorists set off a bomb in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. More than 320 buildings nearby also suffered some damage. less

The Oklahoma City Bombing

April 19, 1995 – More than 160 people were killed and almost 700 more injured when domestic terrorists set off a bomb in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. More ... more

Photo: BILL WAUGH, STF

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The Ludlow Massacre

April 20, 1914 – Approximately 25 striking coal miners and members of their families were killed in a clash with the Colorado National Guard and Colorado Fuel & Iron Company.

The Ludlow Massacre

April 20, 1914 – Approximately 25 striking coal miners and members of their families were killed in a clash with the Colorado National Guard and Colorado Fuel & Iron Company.

Photo: MPI, Getty Images

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The Columbine School Shooting

April 20, 1999 – Two students enter Columbine High School in a Denver suburb and open fire, killing 12 students, a coach and then themselves.

The Columbine School Shooting

April 20, 1999 – Two students enter Columbine High School in a Denver suburb and open fire, killing 12 students, a coach and then themselves.

Photo: Anonymous, AP

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Deepwater Horizons (BP) Oil Spill

April 20, 2010 – A wellhead blowout on a BP-operated oil platform kills 11 and dumps 210 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

Deepwater Horizons (BP) Oil Spill

April 20, 2010 – A wellhead blowout on a BP-operated oil platform kills 11 and dumps 210 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

Photo: -, HOPD

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A Week of Victories, As Well

As horrifying of a week April 14-20 has been in American history, the country also has had some of its greatest moments, as well. Here are a few.

April 14: The first abolition society is formed (1775); the first commercial movie house opens in New York City (1894); "The Grapes of Wrath" is published (1939); the Human Genome Project is completed (2003).

April 15: The preliminary articles of peace ending the American Revolutionary War are ratified 1783); Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier in Major League Baseball (1947); McDonald's opens its first franchised restaurant (1955); the Ford Mustang debuts (1964).

April 16: Boston Garden, America's oldest hockey arena, opens (1910).

April 17: George Lucas begins writing "Star Wars" (1973).

April 18: Paul Revere takes his midnight ride (1775); Yankee Stadium opens in New York (1923).

April 19: Americans earn their first Revolutionary War victory over the British at the Battle of Lexington and Concord (1775); "The Simpsons" premieres on as a cartoon short on "The Tracey Ullman Show" (1987).